RWANDAIR – GETTING READY TO GROW FURTHER
(Posted 02nd November 2014)
RwandAir’s General Manager Commercial Gobena Mikael used the opportunity of the launch flight to Mwanza yesterday to confirm what has been whispered from the aviation grapevine for a while now, that RwandAir will take delivery of another brand new Bombardier Q400NextGen in 2015. This aircraft type has already proven its value for the airline, as the turboprop aircraft, only marginally slower on short routes compared to jets, has won the hearts of passengers flying on it from a range of regional routes, be it Kamembe, Bujumbura, Juba and Entebbe. The dual class configuration makes sure that premium passengers can enjoy superior inflight service on any route and on any of the airline’s aircraft.
That was however not the end of this announcement as he also confirmed directly to this correspondent that in 2016 an additional Boeing B737-800NG Sky Interior will join the fleet before then, all going well, two Boeing B787-8 Dreamliners will complete the intermediate fleet development process.
Presently does RwandAir operate two B737-800NG Sky Interior, two B737-700NG, two Bombardier CRJ900NextGen and one Bombardier Q400NextGen.
The airline has in the past given hints where these additional aircraft will fly to and Mr. Mikael, without going into too many details, confirmed that RwandAir was looking East to India and China while planning to add more continental routes to create the volume of transit traffic through Kigali, which this year will reach around half a million passengers already.
At the same time has the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority continued the modernization and expansion of Kigali International Airport where new lounges are already in use, including the all new and substantially larger Pearl Lounge which all airlines use for their premium passengers.
Additional check in desks will become operational within the next few weeks, after which the transformation of Kigali International will catapult KGL into the 21st century, leaving such rivals like Entebbe trailing in its wake.
Traffic separation was also achieved and arriving and departing passengers no longer come into direct contact, which will make Kigali eligible for CAT 1 status by the American FAA. Other work done at the airport included the creation of new immigration desks for arriving and departing passengers and more departure lounge spaces. Additional shops and food outlets are also in the making, finally providing passengers travelling through Kigali International Airport with a further incentive to fly RwandAir and connect in Kigali to Africa and beyond.
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